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What's Normal
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My breasts are uneven. Is this normal?
Your breasts may be two different sizes during development but usually they will look about the same by the time they are done growing. If the size difference bothers you, you can try foam inserts that fit into your bra or bathing suit. These inserts are sold at specialty bra and lingerie shops.
Sometimes breasts can still be really uneven after they've finished growing. If you are unhappy about the difference in your breasts' sizes and your breasts have finished growing (3-5 years after your breasts started developing), you have the option of talking with your health care provider about the benefits and risks of cosmetic surgery.
Is it normal to have hair around my nipples?
Some girls have hair around their nipples. This is completely normal. If the hair bothers you, it's best to cut it with small scissors. Plucking or shaving the hair can cause infection.
My nipples point inward instead of out. Is this normal?
If your nipples point inward instead of out, you have "inverted nipples." Between 10%-20% of all girls have inverted nipples. This is normal and will not affect your health in any way. If you have inverted nipples, it is important to keep them clean to avoid getting an infection in the folds of skin around your nipple.
If your nipples used to point out but have suddenly turned in, you should contact your health care provider for an examination.
What are stretch marks? Are they normal?
Stretch marks are red spoke-like lines that appear on the skin during periods of rapid physical growth (such as puberty or pregnancy). During puberty, stretch marks on the breasts are very common and completely normal. Other common places for stretch marks are on the hips and thighs. Over time, the stretch marks will fade to match your normal skin color (usually within 1 to 2 years).
If I have a rash around the nipple area on my breasts, does that mean that my breasts are infected?
Usually, yes. A rash can be a sign of an infection with or without a fever, especially if one breast is swollen and tender or a discharge is present. You can also get a rash on the skin under your breasts, which is usually either a heat rash or a yeast infection. If any of these signs of infection are present, call your health care provider. Sometimes a hair root around your nipple area can become infected. When this happens, one or more tiny red bumps appear. The tiny red bumps are called folliculitis. If you have this concern, talk to your health care provider.
Is breast pain or tenderness normal?
You may feel a tingling or aching in your chest when your breast buds start developing. After you start to get your periods you may notice that your breasts become tender or sore about a week before you get your period each month. This soreness not happen to everyone. If you are having pain, check with your health care provider who may suggest taking medications such as ibuprofen to help with the symptoms.
What if I have a discharge coming from my breasts?
A discharge from your breast(s) could mean that your breast(s) are infected, that a breast duct is dilated (widened), or that you have a hormone imbalance. The discharge may be on just one side or from both breasts. When a milky discharge comes from a young woman's breast when she is not breast feeding, it's called galactorrhea. This condition can result from taking certain medications such as birth control pills or anti-depressants, from being pregnant or recently being pregnant, low thyroid levels, or rarely from a small benign (not cancerous) pituitary tumor. Your body may be making extra amounts of prolactin, which can cause this white discharge from your nipples. A brown or bloody discharge may come from dilated breast duct or small polyps in the breast ducts. A small amount of yellow discharge sometimes occurs around the time a girl starts her period. Your health care provider should always check any breast discharge.
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Updated 6/28/06
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